Water level of China's second largest freshwater lake hits record low

Dongting, China's second-largest freshwater lake in central China's Hunan Province, has reported record low water levels due to sustained hot weather and low precipitation, according to local authorities on Monday.

The water level at the lake's landmark Chenglingji hydrological station receded to 23.15 meters at 8 a.m. Monday, 6.29 meters lower than the average for the same period in previous years, according to the provincial water resources department.

Monitoring data from hydrology and meteorological departments shows that the cumulative precipitation in Hunan Province since July 8 is 70 millimeters, 67.5 percent less than the average precipitation of the same period in previous years.

Over the past 30 days, the cumulative precipitation of 101 county-level regions in Hunan was over 40 percent less than the average for the same period in previous years.

The provincial hydrological department predicts that, as the drought continues, the water level of Dongting Lake will continue dropping in the coming week. The water level of Chenglingji Station may drop to about 22.6 meters by the end of August.